An analysis commissioned by UK Steel reveals that in the past five years, less than 2% of the steel used in UK wind farms was made domestically, with nearly none sourced from British steel mills. Despite having the capacity to produce over half the steel required for offshore wind, the UK continues to heavily rely on foreign steel to meet its “net zero” energy goals.
Research indicates that the UK steel industry can already supply up to 13 million tonnes of the 25 million tonnes of steel needed for offshore wind projects over the next 25 years. With the right investment, this figure could increase significantly, potentially meeting nearly all future steel needs for the country’s offshore wind expansion.
The need for a strong domestic steel sector goes beyond renewable energy. Experts at LumenEE emphasize that boosting the UK’s steel capacity would benefit both national defense and energy projects. However, underinvestment in steel fabrication and production facilities is holding back the industry. This underinvestment puts at risk the UK’s ability to meet demand, secure its steel supply, and support the production of essential defense products. It also risks the UK missing out on a £21 billion economic opportunity in offshore wind and other sectors.
Despite this, the UK’s steel mills have the potential to cover up to 86% of the steel required for offshore wind projects with additional investment. This could keep billions of pounds in the UK economy, create thousands of skilled jobs, and ensure Britain has the infrastructure needed to support its industrial future rather than relying on foreign steel.
